Once Upon an Equinox
Page 15
Harold O’Hall stepped out of the kitchen, still clasping a spatula in his right hand.
“Do you need some help there, Harold?” A young roughneck laid his baseball cap on his seat. It was obvious he didn’t object to being a bouncer. Several other roustabouts also stood, ready to wrestle. Customers squirmed, ready to run or take cover.
“Oh, no, we’re fine,” the proprietor assured his clientele. “John Fred and I are old friends.”
John Fred glared at the mention of his name. He always did, no matter what the circumstance. His eyes flashed with an almost inhuman quality — glassy and distant. He tensed his gargantuan shoulders and shifted from one muscled leg to the other and back again.
Harold set down his spatula and lifted the domed top from a dessert platter. “How about a cookie, John Fred?” the proprietor offered. He made sure he caught John Fred’s eye as he selected one of the larger sweets. “I have oatmeal raisin today.”
“Wow! That smells good. I wish I could have a cookie,” Flois said brightly as she returned from the kitchen with the ketchup. “Your sister baked those just this morning.”
John Fred grunted and made a tentative grab for the cookie in Harold’s hand.
Harold winked at Loretta. “I’ll tell you what, John Fred. Let’s go outside and eat this so we don’t get crumbs all over the floor.” The proprietor led John Fred out the front door and directly into the Muckenfuss vehicle that was still pinging, popping, and backfiring. As soon as her brother was secured in the back seat, Loretta hopped in the front passenger seat..
Mama Muckenfuss ground the sedan into gear and puttered out of the parking lot.
The line of curious customers at the window gradually diminished, and the eaters returned to their seats to resume their meals.
Dodie applied fresh coral lipstick to her generous mouth, then once again, jabbed Mary Carol in the ribs with her sharp elbow. “One of these days, that John Fred is going to kill somebody.”
Mary Carol smiled sweetly, doing her best to dampen Dodie’s fire. “It looks like his mom and sister have things under control.”
“Oh, sweet heavens!” Dodie fondled her cigarette with her manicured fingers. “Taking John Fred up to the cemetery every evening and chanting over him is not the same as having him under control.”
“Chanting?” Lil choked on her iced tea.
Dodie snorted. “Jane and Loretta Muckenfuss think John Fred is demon possessed.”
Jeannine Satterlee leaned forward in her seat. “That can’t be true.”
“Oh, yes it is,” Dodie argued. “Every evening a little before sunset, they stand at the foot of the Virgin Mary statue and perform a ritual.”
Lil was doubtful. “How on earth would you know that, Dodie?”
The oil matriarch cackled. “One of the grave diggers out there works for my husband every now and again. He’s seen the Muckenfuss family in action.”
Mrs. Satterlee held her napkin over her mouth and eyed her companions.
Before she could speak, Flois arrived with a pitcher full of fresh iced tea and the ladies’ tabs. “Where is your friend today?” Flois asked as she poured tea all around.
“You mean Eunice?” Lil eyed the empty space in their booth where their comrade always sat.
“Yes, Miss Toadvine,” Flois confirmed. “As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen her for days.”
Dodie Dengle massaged her ample upper arms. “I think it’s been almost a week since I’ve laid eyes on Eunice. Anybody heard from her?”
Lil shook her gray head.
Jeannine and Mary Carol denied seeing Eunice, even though they lived almost directly across the street from the frumpy old maid.
“Maybe we should check on her,” Mary Carol ventured.
Her mother grimaced. “Not if you know what’s good for you.”
Mary Carol cringed in response to her mother’s sharp remark and apparent lack of concern. “Why?”
“The last person who went to check on Eunice Toadvine ended up regretting it.”
ALSO BY DOVIE RUTH
ONCE UPON AN EQUINOX:
A DARK PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY NOVELLA
MYSTIC CALIFORNIA COZIES - BOOK ONE
THE MURDER OF MISS TOADVINE:
A DARK PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY NOVEL
(available in late 2019)
THE BURNING BOWL:
A DARK PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY NOVEL
MYSTIC CALIFORNIA COZIES - BOOK THREE
(available in late 2019)
All of the books in the Mystic California Cozies
series can be read as a standalone story, however,
the tales will be more enjoyable if the books are read in order.
SAINTS OF CAMARILLO:
INSIDE CALIFORNIA’S INFAMOUS STATE HOSPITAL
An Award-Winning Psychological Thriller.
https://www.amazon.com/Dovie-Ruth/e/B0728FM637/
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https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Equinox-Paranormal-California/dp/1690188014